Yuletide: Passengers shun luxury buses in Abuja

OPERATORS of luxury buses in Abuja on Saturday expressed concern on passengers’ preference for mini-buses to convey them to their various destinations during the Yuletide.

Some of the operators attributed the development to the smaller seating capacity and faster movement of the mini-buses.

Mr. Nze Enoch, the Assistant Manager of Uche God Multibiz Transport Company, said the mini-buses “convey smaller number of passengers and get filled up faster.’’

According to him, passengers are always conscious of time as they often want to get to their destinations early.

“Once people get to motor parks, they want to board a bus that will leave the next minute; the mini-buses convey between 14 passengers and 18 passengers.

“But the luxury buses will convey between 50 persons and 51 persons and people think it will take some time to get that number of people on board. So, they don’t bother about their convenience, safety and cargo; they are forced to squeeze into mini-buses,” he said.

Mr. Benjamin Ukapi, the Manager of Chukwudubem and Ebube Motors, argued that many passengers are unaware that luxury buses are safer.

He recalled that passengers were attracted to mini-buses when the concerned authorities of luxury buses started warning passengers against night journeys.

“Certainly, many people now prefer to travel with mini-buses but they don’t realise that travelling with luxury buses is more comfortable.”